California running back C.J. Anderson (9) breaks free against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Ran on: 11-26-2011
The Bears' C.J. Anderson ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns. He added a 74-yard TD reception.
Ran on: 11-26-2011
The Bears' C.J. Anderson ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns. He added a 74-yard TD reception.

Photo: Matt York, AP

California running back C.J. Anderson (9) breaks free against...

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California quarterback Zach Maynard (15) prepares to throw as Arizona State defensive lineman Bo Moos (61) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Ran on: 11-26-2011
Cal quarterback Zach Maynard rolls out and prepares to pass during the first half of Friday night's game at Arizona State. With a win in its final regular-season game, Cal could improve its bowl situation and create some momentum for next season. For complete coverage, go to sfgate.com-sports.
Ran on: 11-26-2011
Zach Maynard completed 19 of 26 passes for 237 yards and a score.
Ran on: 11-26-2011
Zach Maynard completed 19 of 26 passes for 237 yards and a score.

Photo: Matt York, AP

California quarterback Zach Maynard (15) prepares to throw as...

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California running back Isi Sofele (20) scores a touchdown as Arizona State safety Clint Floyd defends during the first half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Ran on: 11-26-2011
Cal tailback Isi Sofele lunges for a first-half touchdown. He gained 145 yards on 21 carries.
Ran on: 11-26-2011
Cal tailback Isi Sofele lunges for a first-half touchdown. He gained 145 yards on 21 carries, his fifth 100-yard game this season.

Photo: Matt York, AP

California running back Isi Sofele (20) scores a touchdown as...

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California running back Isi Sofele (20) scores a touchdown as Arizona State safety Clint Floyd defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Photo: Matt York, AP

California running back Isi Sofele (20) scores a touchdown as...

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California kicker Giorgio Tavecchio celebrates his point after against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Photo: Matt York, AP

California kicker Giorgio Tavecchio celebrates his point after...

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California running back C.J. Anderson (9) scores a touchdown against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Photo: Matt York, AP

California running back C.J. Anderson (9) scores a touchdown...

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Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler, left, is sackecd by California linebacker Mychal Kendricks during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, in Temp, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

In a game in which defense by both teams took a holiday a night after a holiday, Cal held off Arizona State for a nervy 47-38 victory Friday at Sun Devil Stadium.

The win pushed Cal's record to 7-5 (4-5 Pac-12) and ensured the team a winning record regardless of the outcome of its bowl game to come. In losing its last four games and five of six, ASU dropped to 6-6.

The game was not decided until defensive back Josh Hill intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass with 2:22 to play. Strange that the defense decided the game for Cal after it gave up 477 yards in total offense to the Sun Devils and Osweiler threw three touchdown passes, all in the first half.

Cal countered with 484 yards in offense and scored touchdowns on four drives in excess of 70 yards, accounting for more than 33 minutes in time of possession and only one fumble lost.

Maynard completed 19 of 26 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown and backup tailback C.J. Anderson scored three touchdowns, two on runs and another on a 74-yard reception in the third quarter. Starting tailback Isi Sofele recorded his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season, gaining 145 on 21 carries for a 6.9-yard average.

Anderson's long catch-and-run was made possible by Maynard keeping his composure when the pass rush closed on him. He scrambled away from the rush and spotted Anderson, who had drifted past the line of scrimmage when he saw his quarterback was in duress.

"It was a full-field read," Maynard said. "C.J. came open. I lolli-popped him the ball."

Anderson's third touchdown of the game pushed Cal's lead to 41-31 with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter. Thus, it was the winning score for the Bears, who needed the points on a night when it was, to be polite, defensively casual.

Two field goals in the fourth quarter by Giorgio Tavecchio gave Cal a 47-38 lead, the second one with 3:32 left in the game. After his first field goal of the quarter, from 19 yards, the Bears got a huge break when Cameron Marshall fumbled after a 22-yard run and Cal's Mustafa Jalil recovered with 8:53 left in the game.

The Bears then used up 5:21 of clock time on the field-goal drive for a nine-point lead.

After Cal went up 41-31, the Sun Devils struck quickly to bring it to 41-38 on Marshall's 24-yard touchdown run near the end of the third quarter. Safety D.J. Campbell was notable for whiffing on an attempted tackle.

Whiffing was the order of the day for the Cal defense. Marshall rushed for 157 yards and wide receiver Rashad Ross had 108 yards on just five catches.

The Bears managed to put their botched ending to the first half behind them to retake the lead at 34-31 with 9:02 to go in the third quarter. Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game, this one a 3-yarder to cap another productive and efficient drive.

It was Cal's third 70-plus touchdown drive of the game. The problem for the Bears was not moving the ball, it was stopping ASU from doing the same.

Arizona State had the first possession of the third quarter and added to its lead with a 47-yard field goal and a 31-27 margin. Although linebacker Mychal Kendricks sacked Osweiler on third down to force the field goal, the Bears again showed poor defense on the drive, especially in the open field.

With a 27-14 lead late in the second quarter, the Bears looked to be rolling into halftime with a healthy dose of momentum. Instead, they staggered into the locker room at the break trailing 28-27 on an improbable turn of events after ASU scored two touchdowns in 29 seconds.